Chetan's century sinks Hong Kong

A brilliant 101 by Chetan Ramachandra lifted Singapore to a six-wicket victory over Hong Kong on day two of the Air Niugini Super Series 2012. Earlier in the day, an improved batting effort by Hong Kong had seen them post a total of 213 all out in 49 overs, but that total proved inadequate against some accomplished Singaporean batting.

Hong Kong won the toss and elected to bat in fine but blustery conditions on the Colts Ground at Cricket PNG headquarters in Port Moresby. Hong Kong's skipper hit the opening delivery for 2 but he was caught behind off the very next ball to an undisciplined swipe. Youngsters Anshuman Rath and Kinchit Shah added 12 runs to the total before Shah was caught for 7. Rath batted sensibly for 25 off 52 balls before he was the third wicket to fall with the total on 44. A middle order collapse saw a further two wickets fall quickly as Nizakat Khan (12) and Aizaz Khan (1) were dismissed to leave Hong Kong reeling at 5-65.

Babar Hayat and Mudassar Hussain added 27 runs for the sixth wicket before Hayat (36) was unluckily given out LBW despite an inside-edge, with the score on 92. At the 30 overs mark, Hong Kong had reached 6-106.

Tanwir Afzal scored a breezy 19, including a six from a free hit that took the total to 7-121. He was followed by Mudassar Hussain who hit a patient 21 before falling LBW to the bowling of Anishe. Hasseb Amjad, whose debut innings had lasted only one ball, smote a delightful 48 off 33 balls, including seven boundaries, to give Hong Kong's total some respectability. Amjad shared a 55-run stand with Daljeet Singh who finished unbeaten on 22. Karan Shah (9) was the last wicket to fall, caught at long off from the bowling of Saad. Hong Kong had reached 213 from their 50 overs.

For Singapore, captain Saad Janjua was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3-34 from nine overs while Pramodh, Madakia and Anish Edward each picked up two wickets.

Hong Kong needed early wickets to put pressure on the Singapore batsmen but Chetan Ramachandra and Kshitji Shinde blunted the early attack, which was led by Haseeb Amjad, Aizaz Khan and Daljeet Singh. Once again, the Hong Kong bowlers struggled in the blustery conditions and the Singaporean batsmen took full toll with 31 runs coming from the first five overs. Chetan was particularly punishing and he brought up his half-century in 47 balls. Hong Kong's skipper did his best to stem the flow of runs by swapping his bowlers but none provided the necessary breakthrough. Young Karan Shah was hit out of the attack in two overs, including two huge sixes by Chetan down the ground. Shinde's half century followed shortly afterwards, scored off 65 balls and including six boundaries.

It was only when Barkat to chanced his own arm that things finally started to happen for Hong Kong. Barkat got the ball to spit and turn and he troubled both batsmen. Chetan should have been caught for 99 but Tanwir Afzal failed to get a hand on a skied shot that swirled in the stiff breeze. However Barkat got his wicket in the next over, but by then Chetan had moved on to his century, scored off 98 balls and including six boundaries and three sixes. The opening pair had put together an impressive stand of 164 runs.

Hasseb was brought back into the attacked and he immediately bowled Shinde for 63, his first wicket for Hong Kong. When Hasseb dismissed Buddika Mendis for 2, Hong Kong sensed they still had a chance to grab a victory with Singapore now on 3-175. As the Hong Kong bowlers applied more pressure, the run-rate start to mount for Singapore and a close finish looked on the cards. Barkat grabbed the fourth Singapore wicket when he had Anish Edward caught at long-on for 28, but Barkat's over had gone for 15 runs, essentially ending Hong Kong's challenge. Vikas Rajgopal ended proceedings off the next ball to give Singapore victory by six wickets in 47.1 overs.

For Hong Kong, Hasseb Amjad grabbed 2-21 from 9.1 overs, including three maidens while Waqas Barkat claimed 2-33 from nine overs with one maiden.

Score summary: Hong Kong 213 from 50 overs (Anshuman Rath 25, Babar Hayat 36, Mudassar Hussain 21, Haseem Amjad 48, Daljeet Singh 22*; Saad Janjua 3-34) lost to Singapore 214-4 from 47.1 overs (Chetan Ramachandra 101, Kshitij Shinde 63, Anish Edward 28) by 6 wkts